Bali’s new Village Ecotourism Network provides an alternative to mass tourism.

Ibu Soma balances precariously on a small wooden stepladder. It wobbles a little, but she is practised at this. Rolling up her sleeves, she reaches into the tree and claims her tiny prizes one by one. They are sunset-coloured capsules, which she will sun-dry and husk, revealing the perfect coffee beans within. Her daughter picks some of the lower beans and slowly they begin to fill their basket. The work is methodical, and made even more meditative by the peacefulness of the forest-gardens around them.

The silence is interrupted only by birdsong. From far off, however, come the sounds of footsteps. Eventually a small group of visitors round a bend, pattering quietly in damp undergrowth and murmuring softly. They are headed by Gede, one of Bu Soma’s fellow coffee farmers, and a local eco-guide. They stop to admire Bu Soma’s harvest, and soon the little patch of garden is filled with chatter and laughter.

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Holy water, the most important part of a Balinese ceremony, no ceremony is considered to be complete without the presence of Holy water. Holy water can be obtained either from natural sources or from the peranda (high priest). The natural resources of holy waters range from klebutan (spring), tukad (river), campuan (meeting of two or more river), loloan (estuary), danu (lake), and segara (sea).

Klebutan, spring is the most popular holy water source for temple anniversary, and rites for God. Not all spring is fit as holy water source, spring that is used as a holy water source is usually located on the sacred spot or near a temple. A Beji temple or at least a shrine is built near the spring that is used as a holy water source. Balinese who want to get a holy water from this spring must present a set of offering to this temple or shrine and ask permission from the the God who resides in this temple or shrine.

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For some Balinese house compound protection that is provided by walls, gate, and guardian spirit shrines are not enough. All these means of protection are useless against determine thieves, robbers or advanced level magical attack. These kind of disturbances create an urgent need in Balinese’s mind for a stronger mean of house compound protection at least a tool that can cover the weakness of walls, gate and guardian spirit shrines.

The best solution for this problem in Balinese culture is a house compound amulet. The amulet for house compound protection can be divided into two divisions: Tetaneman or Pependeman and Pepasangan.

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Hidden amongst half a hectare of mature coconut palms, Taman Wana Private Estate is nested in a quiet beach village of Batubelig on the exotic tropical island of Bali. The three private villas on the estate, each have their own pool and lush gardens. Just steps from the Indian Ocean and its spectacular sunsets, Taman Wana is located in one of the most sought after areas in South West Bali, close to shops and lively bars and restaurants yet quiet and private.

Taman Wana offers luxury accommodation for up to 20 guests in 3 private villas. Ideal for groups, family holidays, celebrations and quiet romantic getaways, the fully serviced villas are available for short or long term rent, either individually or in any combination to suit the number of guests.

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Pura Goa Lawah, Bat Cave Temple, lies just three km northeast of Kusamba Harbor and nine km east of Klungkung on the left side of dramatic road paralleling the sea with uninterrupted views of sea and Nusa Penida. As its name suggests Pura Gua Lawah houses a holy cave begins at the foot of rocky cliff and is said to extend all the way to the base of Mount Agung.

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Oral tradition says the cave leads to Pura Goa (cave temple) within the Besakih temple complex some 30 km away. A tale is told how a prince of Mengwi actually entered the sacred cave to prove that he was the rightful descendent of Mengwi king, and emerged at Besakih, but his feat was never duplicated – entering the cave is now forbidden.

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Arak, most popular Balinese traditional liquor is distilled tuak (palm beer), and such it has much higher alcohol content than tuak. Arak is clear and colorless, and has a very sharp, biting taste. Since there is no fermentation going on, it can be bottled – in beer bottles– capped, and sold in almost all stores that the Balinese patronize but the bottled arak that is sold freely is low quality arak, for ceremonial purpose only. Arak for consumption purpose is a high quality one and illegal, sold secretly in small roadside stalls, only buyers that are known by the sellers are served.

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